May 22 (Bloomberg) -- Minerva SA, Brazil’s third-largest
beef producer by market value, dropped to a five-month low as
Russia’s veterinary and health surveillance service suspended
beef imports from one of its plants.

Shares of the Barretos, Brazil-based meatpacker declined
2.3 percent to 10.20 reais at 11:22 a.m. in Sao Paulo, the
lowest level on a closing basis since Dec. 18. It was the worst
performer on the Bovespa Small Cap index, which added 1 percent.

Russia “temporarily” halted beef imports from a plant in
the state of Goias, the company said in a regulatory filing
yesterday after the newspaper Valor Economico reported the
suspension. The company said in the filing that it is working to
adapt plant conditions to Russia’s requirements.

Sao Paulo-based Valor reported yesterday that Russia
suspended imports from two plants of Marfrig Alimentos SA,
Brazil’s second-biggest meatpacker. That company said in a
regulatory filing today that it hasn’t been notified of the
decision and, if the halt is confirmed, it will continue
exporting to Russia beef from other plants. Sao Paulo-based
Marfrig shares declined as much as 1.4 percent to 7.20 reais
before rising the same amount to 7.40 reais.